UkrOboronProm starts assembly of new ‘Iroquois’ utility helicopter

Ukraine’s leading defense group UkrOboronProm has announced a multi-year plan to produce a new medium utility helicopter at the Odesa Aircraft Plant.

On Friday, the director-general of the Ukraine-based defense company Yuri Gusev said that at the “Odessa Aviation Plant”, which is part of the UkrOboronProm, it is planned to launch licensed production of Bell UH-1 Iroquois class helicopters.

He said that the organization of production is at the final stage today. The first aircraft should be manufactured by the 30th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence, that is, in the summer of 2021. The project is financed from investment funds.

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Currently, there are three main helicopter models in this class. Among them are Bell 212, Bell 412 and UH-1Y twin-engine, medium-sized utility helicopters.

This class of helicopters has a metal fuselage of semi-monocoque construction with tubular landing skids and two or four rotor blades on the main rotor.

The helicopters are in service with civil and military operators from various countries including Brazil, U.S., UK, Canada, Colombia, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain and Turkey. It can be configured for a range of operations including casualty evacuation, troop transportation or passenger carriage, cargo carriage, training and rescue missions.

A Spanish navy AB212 helicopter. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Cameron Stoner
Indonesian Bell 412 helicopter. Photo by Seaman Lindsey Skelton
U.S. Marine Corps UH-1Y Venoms. Photo by Lance Cpl. Anabel Abreu Rodriguez.

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About author:

Dylan Malyasov
Dylan Malyasov
Dylan Malyasov is the editor-in-chief of Defence Blog. He is a journalist, an accredited defense advisor, and a consultant. His background as a defense advisor and consultant adds a unique perspective to his journalistic endeavors, ensuring that his reporting is well-informed and authoritative. read more

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